The Times They Are A’changin’.

During the beginning of the current renaissance of tattooing having visible tattoos, or other forms of body art, was a guaranteed way to get your resume tossed into the “round file” as soon as you left the interview. Not quite so any longer as more, and more, the corporate world is coming face to face with one small fact. A large part of the younger generation entering the work force have tattoos.

This includes the people with the right skills for the right job and leaves corporations with a quandary. Do you pass over a candidate who can get the job done simply because they have tattoos, or do you turn a blind eye to their body art for the sake of getting the person you need to fill the spot?

Even with the slowdown in the current economy bringing hiring to a crawl, the fact remains that there is a shortage of skilled workers and baby boomers are beginning their exodus from the workforce into retirement. This leaves an emerging workforce that has over one third of it’s populace tattooed, or sporting some other form of body art.

It should be obvious at this point that if an employer wants to put the best qualified person into the position they have open, they are going to have to accept that the person may have a few tattoos. Fortunately, many companies are indeed opening their hearts and doors to prospective employees with tattoos.

Although still a minority, (According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center recently, (36 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds have at least one tattoo. 40 percent of those between 26 and 40 have at least one.), as the popularity of tattooing grows there are sure to be even more tattooed candidates for skilled labor jobs.

Still, according to another survey on Vault.com, a good 85% of workers say tattoos and body piercings impede a person’s chances of finding a job. Another 64% said body art has a negative effect on the opinions of co-workers and employers. So, the battle isn’t totally won, yet.

Best advice. If you are currently in the market for a job, other than tattoo artist, and you can hide your ink, do so. There may very well be a time coming when it won’t matter, but that time isn’t on the horizon at the moment.

Who knows? Personally, I think seeing the CEO of a Fortune 500 company with a full back piece would be way cool……but I’m prejudiced.